Medeco high-security locks were the subject of the presentation at DefCon in 2007 by Marc Tobias, Tobias Bluzmanis, and Matt Fiddler.  Specifically, the development of four code-setting keys and the use of a paperclip was shown to defeat these locks, which are the most popular high-security locks in the United States.

Read the article from Wired Magazine. Medeco locks are employed throughout the world to protect high-value targets. The attacks shown in 2007 have been remedied by Medeco with the introduction in 2023 of its M4 cylinder. The attacks on Medeco locks were documented in the book “Open in Thirty Seconds” Cracking one of the most secure locks in America..” Four U.S. patents were issued to Tobias and Bluzmanis for the code setting keys, which could allow picking and bumping of Medeco cylinders.

Information Security News_ White House High-Security Locks Broken_ Bumped and Picked at DefCon